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Report: Boston Celtics will make one last run at title if Kevin Garnett returns

The Boston Celtics are hoping to bring back Kevin Garnett to make another run at an NBA title. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

If Kevin Garnett wants to return to the Boston Celtics next year, the team will try to bring back its free agents and make one last run at an NBA championship, Boston general manager Danny Ainge told The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn.

Despite battling injuries, Boston made it to the Eastern Conference Finals this year, where it lost in seven games to the eventual champion Miami Heat. But the Celtics' core -- especially Garnett, Paul Pierce and free agent Ray Allen -- is past its prime. It's uncertain how much longer Boston can stay competitive with the best teams in the league.

Garnett, also a free agent, has yet to say whether he will retire. He could also sign with another team that he feels has a better chance of winning a championship.

“We never feel it’s impossible [to compete],’’ Ainge told Washburn. “We feel like we are close. It takes a lot of good fortune to go your way. We also had some unfortunate things happen this year. I feel we have a chance again next year, and I think KG is a big part of that.’’

Brandon Bass and Mickael Pietrus, two important role players, are also free agents. If Garnett comes back, Ainge will try to re-sign them and enter next season will nearly the same roster as this season.

"We’re trying to put together a good team this upcoming year," Ainge told Washburn, "and there’s a lot of question marks that I don’t have answers to."